he walked us through one of the city's few functioning markets, anxious to show us that normal life is still possible here. ( explosion ) but the moment was short-lived. ( explosion ) shells were landing closer and closer. >> dr. maher nana: we need to move. >> ward: so we moved, driving through the narrow streets to the heart of this ancient city, large parts of which have been reduced to an apocalyptic wasteland. we stopped because the colonel wanted to inspect his fighters on the front lines. but as soon as they spotted us, government snipers opened fire. >> get down, everybody. >> ward: night was falling, so we moved to an area that we thought was more secure. ( explosion ) it's bombardment like that that has left aleppo a virtual ghost town. most civilians here have left. the only people who are really still left in the streets are fighters, and those who are too poor to leave. ( explosion ) get in, get in, get in. once again, we had to jump into our cars and drive away. later that night, we sat down with the colonel to discuss the day's events. i have to be honest with you-- when